Western Bulldogs holding line on Bruce as clock ticks for Saints

The Western Bulldogs remain adamant that pick 32 is enough to prise contracted St Kilda forward Josh Bruce out of the Saints who remain empty handed ahead of Wednesday's trade period deadline.

The Saints, who hold picks 12, 18 and 82 remain hopeful of landing an earlier pick for the 27-year-old who kicked 36 goals this season, however they will need to start completing some deals soon as they have Brad Hill, Zak Jones, Paddy Ryder and Dougal Howard wanting to join the Saints.

Uncontracted Richmond forward Dan Butler is also waiting in the wings without publicly stating his position while Geelong are reluctant to give St Kilda pick 37 for Jack Steven who still has a year on his contract.

The Saints annoyed the Dockers when they traded pick 6 for picks 12 and 18 on Thursday with Fremantle expecting to land at least pick 6 in return for Hill. St Kilda also have to find a pick in the 20s if they want to meet Sydney's demand for Jones.

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Meanwhile the Bulldogs believe a third round pick in the vicinity of the pick 45 and 51 is a reasonable deal for Adelaide's 28-year-old intercept defender Alex Keath after the 27-year-old former cricketer chose to join the Bulldogs after negotiations with the Crows over a new contract fell short of his expectations.

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The Crows are wanting to argue that the Western Bulldogs' decision to trade Marcus Adams for pick 32 and a future third round pick to the Lions last season should frame discussions around Keath although Adams was contracted and a year younger.

Keath is also expected to have a delayed start to pre-season after he required surgery after suffering a stress fracture in his lower leg however the Bulldogs hope he will be available at the start of the season.

Meanwhile the Blues expect Jack Martin and Tom Papley to both become Carlton players next week although they won't resume discussions around Papley until Monday with the Swans focused on how to get Joe Daniher to Sydney.

Discussions with Martin are also at a standstill with the Suns remaining adamant they are not parting with him without reasonable compensation. Eddie Betts is expected to return to Carlton.

Essendon want a player to be part of any deal before they consider trading the 25-year-old key forward while the Blues will offer up pick 9 to get Papley although they want to receive a pick back. The Swans also want a pick in the 20s for Jones.

Carlton and Essendon might also be forced to discuss ruckman Andrew Phillips who has attracted interest from the Bombers despite having a one-year deal on the table from the Blues while Marc Pittonet, who has a contract offer from the Hawks, is weighing up interest from the Blues.

Pittonet has played seven games with the Hawks who signed Jonathon Ceglar to a three-year deal while they intend to trial Ben McEvoy in defence.

Meanwhile former North Melbourne defender Michael Firrito has returned to the Kangaroos as Academy coach after retiring as a player in 2016.